Fanfold machine



y 1940- c. BUTTERFIELD 2,202,244

FANFOLD MACHINE v Filed May 11, 1959 zshe'ets-sneet 1 COMPRESSED AIR VACUUM TANK CHAKL E5 Barri/ n54 0.

ATTORNEYS.

May 28, 1940. c. BUTTERFIELD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FANFOLD MACHINE Filed May 11, 1959 INVENTOR. ChWfLEJ Burrs/ nan ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 28, 1940 FANFOLD MACHINE Charles Butterfield, Wyoming, Ohio, assignor t. The Globe-Wernicke Company, Norwood, Dhio,

a corporation of Ohio Application May 11, 1939, Serial No. 273,067

18 Claims. (01. 270-43) This invention relates to a machine for fanfolding long lengths of paper-likematerial which may or may not have been previously treated in any desired manner and also to certain apparatus for treating the material prior to fanfolding.

While this machine is adaptable to numerous uses I have illustrated it specifically in connection with the manufacture of label elements such as areused in connection with file folders, said label elements consisting of strips of paper preferably coated with adhesive on one side and having a score line so thatthey may be "folded over and adhesively secured along an edge of a file folder. Identifying marks may be printed or typed upon these strips before they are adhesively secured to the file folders and for this purpose the elements preferably bear some sort of datum point, so that a typist may align them uniformly in a typewriter.

,Such labels have been in the past sold either in stacks of individual labels or in rolls of labels in which the labels were defined by frangible lines or lines of perforations so that they can be torn apart. I have found that it is desirable to provide these labels in continuous strips from which individual labels may be torn and to fanfold the strips so that they may be packed in convenient size boxes. By fanfolding I mean that a long strip is folded in a zigzag manner so that the length of material will lie flatconstituting a stack, each layer of which contains a number of. labels frangibly connected together and with layers connected to eachother by fran gible lines alternately at opposite ends thereof. My complete machine, therefore comprises a means for producing in a strip of material, such as for'exarnple paper, which maybefadhesively coated on one side, a series of spaced, transverse score lines andthen producing thereon a series of spaced lines of perforationsor frangiblelines. Material is then conducted past a means which serves to e'mboss a datum point on each label at a predetermined position. At this point the strip constitutes a series of labels connected together by frangible lines, each label having a score line so that it may be folded'and each label having embossed thereon a datum point. The machine then includes an arrangement for 'fanfolding this continuous strip so that the folds will occur on frangible lines, whereby each layer will contain a predetermined numbe of separable labels.

It is an object of my invention to provide a machine which will produce fanfolded series of labels as above -outlined.- It-is' an object of my line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

invention to provide specific means for producing score lines in a strip and for producing frangible lines in this strip, and for embossing a datum point on'each label. It is a further object of my invention to provide means where- '5: by the embossing means may be rendered inoperative in case there should be desired a series of labels which are not embossed.

v It is another object of my invention to provide means for fanfolding a strip of paper or 10 the like which will be relatively simple in construction and operation. More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a fanfolding arrangement employing suction, whereby the paper will not be in any way marked. In this 5 connection it is an object of my invention to provide apair of rolls between which a strip is adapted topass, said rolls having suction orifices therein so oriented that suction will be applied to the strip alternately first on one side and then on the, other, and to provide means for releasing the suction meansafter a predetermined interval whereby the strip will be fanfolded. It is also an object of my invention to provide means for severing the strip' after a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded. Another object of my invention is to provide means compacting a fanfolded set of labels after they have been. severed from the strip. Generally speaking, it is anobject of my invention to provide a complete machine which is as simple as may be, and which will automatically and continuously provide a product such as outlined above.

These and other objects of my invention which will be set forth hereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, I accomplish by that certain construction and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe a preferred embodiment.

Reference is made to the drawings which form a part hereof, and in which:

Figure v1 is an elevational view of a machine according to my invention. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same viewed from the left of Fig. 1.

Fig 4 is an elevational view of the machine from the other side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is across sectional view taken on the Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig '7 is a detailed partial perspective view of the product of the machine. 55

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view of an insert for the fanfolding rolls as viewed from the inside.

Briefly in the practice of my invention and referring particularly to Fig. 5, I provide means generally indicated at A for forming in a strip of paper or the like indicated at It), a series of spaced, transverse score lines indicated at H in Fig. '7. The strip passes from the point A to the point B where I have provided means for producing in the strip transverse lines of perforation or frangible lines indicated at l2 in Fig. 7. At C I have provided means for producing in the strip a series of spaced indentations or datum points indicated at l3 in Fig. '7. At D I provide means for transmitting driving force to the strip of material and at E I provide a fanfolding means and strip severing means. The fanfolded strip falls through a hopper generally indicated at [4 and drops into a box l5 which may be the box in which the fanfolded labels are to be ultimately packaged.

At A-I have shown a pair of cooperating rolls l6 and ll. The roll I6 is keyed to a shaft l8 and carries the spaced scoring knives I9 which are arranged around the circumference thereof and parallel to the axis of the roll. The roll I6 is adjustable in relation to the roll I! in any desired manner as for example by means indicated generally at 28, the bearings of the roll l6 indicated at 2! being mountedfor vertical sliding movement as shown and being urged upwardly by means of a spring 22. The roll l'! is keyed upon a shaft 23 and is provided with a rubber surface 24.

At station B I have provided a pair of rolls 25 and 26. The roll 25 is. adjustably mounted in a manner similar to roll [6. This mounting therefore will not be described further. The roll 25 carries a series of perforating elements 21 which are disposed around the periphery thereof parallel to the axis of the roll. The roll 26 is nonadjustably mounted and is metallic, as for example,- of steel.

At station C I provide a knee roll 28 which may be of any desired material, as for example, steel, and which has bolted to one end thereof by means of the bolts 29, a fiber disc 36. The heads of the bolts 29 engage a metallic cover plate 3| which holds the fiber disc 30 in place. Directly above the fiber disc 30 I mount a wheel 32 provided with embossing elements 33 about its periphery. As will be clear from Figs. 2 and 5, the wheel 32 is mounted by means of a stub shaft 340m a link 35 which is pivoted as at 36, to a bracket 37 on the machine frame. A spring 38 tends to urge the wheel 32 upwardly and the position of the wheel 32 with respect to the fiber disc 36 may be adjusted as by means of a bolt 39 threaded through a part of the machine frame as at 48 and bearing, as at 4|, against the link 35. A look nut 42 may be provided for locking the wheel 32 in any position of adjustment.

Cooperating with the roll 28 is a roll 43 which is adjustably mounted similar to the rolls l6 and 25 and therefore the mounting will not be described further. The rolls 28 and 43 cooperate to transmit driving force to the strip whereas the cooperating rolls l6, ll, 25, 26, and the wheel 32 and disc 36 are merely driven in timed relation to the strip but exert no driving force thereon.

From the rolls 28, 43, the strip passes downwardly to the fanfolding station E. The fanfolding portion of the apparatus comprises a pair of rolls 44 and 45 which are in most respects identical.

In view of the fact that the mountings of the two rolls are for the most part identical I shall describe only one, it being understood that insofar as only one is described, the description applies equally well to the other. Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be observed that the rolls are mounted upon shafts 46 having a bearing at 47. At this point one difference in the mounting becomes apparent in that the shaft 46 of the roll 45 is mounted in a bearing block it which is movable in relation to the roll The shaft 46 of the roll 44 has a fixed bearing as at 49. The purpose of the movable bearing block 48 will be pointed out more clearly hereinafter. The shaft 46 is bored out for a considerable depth and has a bearing upon a reduced portion 50 of a shaft 5|. The shaft 5! for the roll 45 is adjustably mounted in the same manner as the shaft 46 of the roll 45. The shaft 5| of the roll 45 is non-rotatably mounted in a bearing block 48 which bearing block is adjustable in the same manner as the bearing block 48. The shaft 5|, of the roll 44 is non-rotatably mounted in the machine frame as indicated at 52. The rolls 45 and 44 are respectively keyed to their shafts 46 so as to rotate therewith.

The shafts 5| have a central bore 53 and in the reduced portion 50 thereof are provided the slots 54, communicating'with the bore 53. The rolls 44 and 45 are provided with the radial bores 55 and in the particular instance shown it will be noted that the bores 55 are disposed in groups of two, diametrically opposed to each other. Dovetailed slots 56 are provided adjacent the surface of the rolls and 45, within which are mounted the manifold blocks 51 shown more in detail in Fig. 8. Upon the under surface of the blocks 5'! is a slot 58 which when the block is in position on the roll is adapted to communicate with the bores 55, and a series of suction orifices 59 are provided communicating with the manifold or slot 58. The bore 53 at the frame end of the shaft 5l is in communication with a valve 60 connected to a suction line 6|. From this description it will be clear that as the rolls 44 and 45 rotate, the bores 55 will be in communication with the slots 54 during one counter revolution, and that if the valve 60 is opened during this counter revolution suction will be exerted through the perforations or suction orifices '59. In this connection means are provided which will be described hereinafter for actuating the valve 60 in timed relation to the rotation of the rolls.

It will be noted that the roll 45 has a flat portion 62 in which there is a slot 63 for the purpose of mounting a cutter 64. In the particular instance shown, the cutter 64 is held in place by means of a depressed block 65 and a bolt 66 threaded into the roll 45. It will be noted that the cutting edge of the cutter 64 projects very slightly beyond the periphery of the roll.

The movable mounting of the roll 45 was generally discussed above. It will be noted that springs 61 are provided for normally urging the bearing blocks 48 and 48' to the right in Fig. 6 so as to leave a space 68 between the rolls. The width of the space 68 may be controlled by means of an arrangement comprising plunger elements 69 bearing respectively against the blocks 48 and 48', the plungers 69 having bearings in brackets 16 of the machine frame so as to limit the outward movement of the bearing blocks 48 and 48.

5 Adjusting screws II threaded into links I2, which will be described hereinafter, are provided for reducing the limit of movement toward the right in Fig. 6. The adjustment may be fixed by means of lock nuts I3. L

The arrangement of the parts just described is such that as the rolls 44 and 45 rotate they are spaced slightly apart so that the cutting edge 84 will not cut the material and the rolls 44 and 45 are angularly so oriented that a series of suction orifices 59 will be presented to the strip alternately from one side and then the other. With reference to Fig. 5, the suction orifices 59 of the roll 44 have exerted suction on the strip I and have carried the strip partially around the roll 44 through substantially a quadrant of revolution. At this point the means which will be described hereinafter will become operative to cut off the suction on the roll 44 and to produce suction in the roll 45. As shown in Fig. 5, the suction orifices 59 of the roll 45 are in a position where when suction is exerted they will serve to carry the strip partially around the roll 45.

In order to perfect the fan folding I have provided rollers 14 mounted upon pivotal brackets I attached to the machine frame as at I6. The rolls I4 do not engage respectively the rolls 44 and 45 but are spaced slightly therefrom and serve to fold the strip as shown at the left side of Fig. 5. The rolls I4 do not need to touch their respective fanfolding rolls because the fold will be produced along lines of perforations.

Although means are provided for cutting off the suction after the strip has been carried around a roll for substantially a quadrant of revolution there may be a tendency for the strip to be carried further around due to inertia or other causes, and I have therefore provided the stop blades I! which limit the distance around the rolls to which the strip may be carried.

In order to sever the strip after a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded I provide means for causing the roll 45 to approach the roll 44 to a point where the cutter 64 will produce as it rotates a cut. These means include a link I8 pivoted'upon a shaft 19 and carrying a cam roller 80 in operative relationship with a cam 8|. The cam 8| is fixed upon a shaft 82 which is driven in timed relation with the remainder of the apparatus. The shaft I9 carries fixed upon it the downwardly depending links 12 described. above, and it will be clear that when the rise 83 of the cam 8| produces a clockwise movement of the link I8 this movement will be transmitted to the links I2 and the roll 45 will be caused to approach the roll 44.

Also mounted upon the shaft 82 is a cam 84 having a rise 85. This cam is in operative relationship with a push rod 86 mounted in any desired manner on the machine frame and connected to the plunger of a valve 81. The valve 81 is in a compressed air line 88 and controls the flow of air to the nozzle 89. The cams BI and 84 are so oriented that substantially at the instant, or

very shortly after, the cam 8| has become opera-' tive to cause the cutter 64 to sever the strip the cam 84 will actuate the valve 81, causing a blast of air from the nozzle 89. This blast of air tends to compact the fanfolded, severed strip which otherwise would tend to settle rather slowly into the receptacle I5.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the valves 80 are arranged to be actuated by the links 90 under the action of the tension springs 9|. The links 90 are pivoted at 92 and are provided with cam rollers 93 which are acted upon by cams 94 which are identical except that they are angularly displaced by 180. It will be clear from Fig. 1 that as the cam roller 93 of a link 98'approaches the drop 95 in a cam 94, the respective spring 9| will act upon the respective link 90 and cause actuation of the valve. The cams 94 are so disposed that each valve 50 will become operative when one set of suction orifices 59 of its respective roll is in a position to contact the strip and when its bores 55 come into communication with the ports 54. Similarly when the rollers 93 are acted upon by the rise 96 of the earns 94 the respective valves 68 will be closed so as to cut off the suction and release the strip.

The general aspects of the machine are best illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. It will be seen that the strip from which the fanfolded elements are made is provided in roll form as at 91, the roll being carried in any convenient bracket 98. Power is applied to the machine by means of a'pulley 99 and a belt I00. The pulley 99 is mounted upon a shaft I8I which carries also a pinion I82. The pinion I02 meshes with a gear I03 carried on the shaft I04. The gear I03 meshes with the gears I85, I 06 and I0], which are mounted respectively upon the shafts 23, I88 and 46. These shafts respectively carry the rolls I1, 28

and 44. The gears mesh with gears I89 and H0 mounted respectively upon the shafts I8 and III upon which are mounted respectively the rolls I6 and 25. The gear I01 meshes with the gear I I2 mounted upon the shaft 46 which carries the roll 45. The rolls 28 and 43 are driven by means ofv gears H3 and H4 mounted upon the same shafts as the rolls, the gears H3 and I I4 intermeshing and power being transmitted to the gear 3 from the gear I08 by means of the idler pinion II5. The shaft 46 of the roll carries also a worm 'I I6 which is in driving relationship with a worm wheel III mounted upon a shaft ||8 which is carried in a bearing II9. other end of the shaft 8 is mounted a miter gear I20 which is in driving relationship with a mitre gear I2I mounted upon the shaft 88 which carries the cams 8| and 84. I

In Fig. 1 I have shown a hopper I22 through which receptacles I5 may be inserted for filling and removed when they are full.

It will be understood that numerous modifications of this apparatus will occur to those skilledin the art and that such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore do not intendto limit myself in any. manner whatsoever except as specifioally pointed out in the claims which follow.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. Apparatus for fanfolding paper-like material fed thereto as from a roll, comprising a pair .of rolls between which said material passes, means on said rolls respectively, operable on said material alternately to cause said material to be carried partiallyaround one roll and then partially around the other, means cooperating. with each of said rolls respectively for folding back against such roll that portion of the material which has previously been carried partially around the other of said rolls, and means for rendering inoperative alternately said first mentioned means when said material has been carried around said rolls respectively a predetermined distance.

2. Apparatus for fanfolding paper-like mate- .Upon the ,rial fed thereto as froma roll, comprising a pair of rolls between 'vvhich said material passes,

means on said rollsrespectively, operable on said material alternately tdcause said materialto be carried partially around one roll and then partially around the other, means cooperating with erative relationship with the respective rolls to.

act upon the folded edges of the material to prevent .said material from being carried on around said rolls.

'3. Ap aratus for fanfolding paper-like material fed thereto as from a roll, comprising a pair of rolls between which said material passes, one of said rolls being movable toward the other, but normally held spaced therefrom a slight amount, said movable roll carrying a cutting element positioned to extend slightly beyond the periphery of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting action on the material, means on said rolls respectively, operable on said material alternately to cause said material to .be carried partially around one roll and then partially around the other, means for' rendering inoperative alternately said first mentioned means when said material has been carried around said rolls respectively a predetermined distance, and means operative when a predetermined length of said material has been fanfolded, for moving said movable roll toward the other, whereby to render said cutting edge operative.

i. Apparatus for fanfolding paper-like material fed thereto as from a roll, comprising a pair of rolls between which said material passes, one of said rolls being movable toward the other, but normally held spaced therefrom a slight amount, said movable roll carrying a cutting element positioned to extend slightly beyond the periphery of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting action on the material, means onsaid rolls respectively, operable on said material alternately to cause said material to be carried partially around one roll and then partially around the other, means cooperating with each of said rolls respectively for folding back against such rolls that portion of the material which has previously been carried partially around the other of said rolls, means for rendering inoperative alternately said first mentioned means when said material has been carried around said rolls respectively a predetermined distance, and means operative when a predetermined length of said material has been fanfolded, for moving said movable roll toward the other, whereby to render said cutting edge operative.

5. Apparatus for fanfolding paper-like material fed thereto as from a roll, comprising a pair of rolls between which said material passes, one of said rolls being movable toward the other, but normally held spaced therefrom a slight amount, said movable roll carrying a cutting element positioned to extend slightly beyond the periphery of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting action on the material, means on said rolls respectively, operable on said material alternately to cause said material to be carried partially around one roll and then partially around the other, means cooperating with each of said rolls respectively for folding back against such rolls that portion of the material which *has previously been carried partially around the other of said rolls, means for rendering inoperative alternately said first mentioned means when said material has been carried around said rolls respectively a predetermined distance, and means operative when a predetermined length of said material has been fanfolded, for moving said movable roll toward the other, whereby to render said cutting edge operative, and stop means positioned in operative relationship with the respective rolls to act upon the folded edges of the material to prevent saidmaterial from being carried on around said'rolls.

6. In a fanfolding apparatus, a pair of composite shafts each comprising a non-rotatable portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion having a bearing on said non-rotatable portion and carrying a roller, the non-rotatable portion of each shaft having an axial bore, and a port in that portion thereof which serves as a bearing for the rotatable portion, said rotatable portion and said roller on each shaft having a bore positioned to communicate with said port intermittently as said roller rotates, a manifold disposed axially of each of said rollers adjacent the surface thereof, and a plurality of orifices in the surface of each roller communicating with said manifold, and means for applying suction'at timed intervals to the bores in said shafts while said bores and ports are in communication, said rollers being oriented so that the suction orifices of the respective rollers alternately come into operative relation with a strip of material passing therebetween.

7. Ina fanfolding apparatus, a-pair of composite shafts each comprising a non-rotatable portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion having a bearing on said non-rotatable portion and carrying a roller, one of-said composite shafts being mounted for movement to- Ward and away from the other, but normally urged away so as to leave a slight space between rollers, the non-rotatable portion of each shaft having an axial bore, and a port in that portion thereof which serves as a bearing for the rotatable portion, said rotatable portion and said roller on each shafthaving a bore positioned to communicate with said port intermittently as said roller rotates, a manifold disposed axially of each of said rollers adjacent the surface thereof, and a plurality of orifices in the surface of each roller communicating with said manifold, and means for applying suction at timed intervals to the bores in said shafts while said bores and ports are in communication, said rollers being oriented so that the suction orifices of the respective rollers alternately come into operative relation with a strip of material passing therebetween, said movable roll carrying a cutting edge positioned to extend slightly beyond the surface of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting action on the material, and means operative when a predetermined length of said material has been fanfolded, for moving said movable roll toward the other, whereby to render said cutting edge operative.

8. In a fanfolding apparatus, a pair of composite shafts each comprising a non-rotatable portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion having a bearing on said non-rotatable portion and carrying a roller, the non-rotatable portion of each shaft having an axial bore, and a port in that portion thereof which servesas a bearing for the rotatable portion, said rotatable portion and said roller on each shaft having a bore positioned to communicate with said port intermittently as said roller rotates, a manifold disposed axially of each of said rollers adjacent the surface thereof, and a plurality of orifices in the surface of each roller communicating with said manifold, and means for applying suction at timed intervals to the bores in said shafts while said bores andports are in communication, said rollers being oriented so that the suction orifices of the respective rollers alternately come into operative relation with a strip of material passing therebetween, the means for applying suction comprising a vacuum tank, a connection therefrom to the bores in said shafts and valves in said connections, cams for actuating said valves, and means for driving said cams in timed rela tion to the rotation of said rollers. 9. In a fanfolding apparatus, a pair of composite shafts each comprising a non-rotatable portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion having a bearing on said non-rotatable portion and carrying a roller, one .of said composite shafts being mounted for movement toward and away from the other, but normally urged away so as to leave a slight space between rollers, the non-rotatable portion of each shaft having an axial bore, and a port in that portion thereof which serves as a bearing for the rotatable portion, said rotatable portion and said roller on each shaft having a bore positioned to communicate with said port intermittently as said roller rotates, a manifold disposed axially of each of said rollers adjacent the surface thereof, and a plurality of orifices in the surface of each roller communicating with said manifold, and means for applying suction at timed intervals to the bores in said shafts while said bores and ports are in communication, said rollers being oriented so that the suction orifices of the respective rollers alternately come into operative relation with a strip of material passing therebetween, said movable roll carrying a cutting edge positioned to extend slightly beyond the surface of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting action on the material, and means operative when a predetermined length of said material has been fanfolded, for moving said movable roll toward the other, whereby to render said cutting edge operative, said last mentioned means including a cam driven in timed relation with the rest of the apparatus.

10. Apparatus for fanfolding paper-like material fed thereto as from a roll, comprising a pair of rolls between which said material passes, and means on said rolls respectively, operable on said material alternately to cause said material to be carried partially around one roll and then partially around the other, and means for rendering inoperative alternately said first mentioned means when said material has been carried around said rolls respectively a predetermined distance, and means for severing said material when a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded, and means for applying a blast of air to said fanfolded elements after said material has been severed to cause them to be compacted.

11. In a fanfolding apparatus, a pair of composite shafts each comprising a non-rotatable portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion having a bearing on said non-rotatable portion and carrying a roller, one of said composite shafts being mounted for movement toward and away from the other, but normally on each shaft having a bore positioned to com urgedaway so as to leave a slight space between;

rollers, the non-rotatable portion of each shaft; having an axial bore, and ,aport inthat portion thereof which serves as a bearing for the rotat.-;

able portion, said rotatable portion and said roll-1 er on each shaft having a bore positioned to come, municate with said port intermittently assaid, roller rotates, a manifold disposed axially .of

'each of said rollers adjacent the surface thereof,

and a plurality of orifices inflthe surface ,ofjeach roller communicating, with said manifold, and

action on the material, and means operative when a predetermined length of said material has been;

fanfolded, for moving said movable roll toward? the other, whereby to render said cutting edge operative, and means for applying a bl t O f air to said fanfolded elements after said material has been severed to cause them to be compacted. s

12. In a fanfolding apparatus, a pair of com posite shafts each comprising a non-rotatable, portion and arotatable portion, said rotatable' portion having av bearing on said non-rotatable portion and carrying a roller, one'o-f 'said'com posite shafts being mounted for movement to--' ward and away from the other, but normally, urged away so as to leave a slight space between' rollers, the non-rotatable portion of, each shafti' having an axial bore, and a port in that portionthereof which serves as a bearing for the rotatable portion, said rotatable portion and said rollerf"' municate with said port intermittently as said each of said rollers adjacent the surface thereof, and a plurality of orifices in the surface of each roller communicating with said manifold, and means for applying suction at timed intervals to 1 to extend slightly beyond the surface of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting roller rotates, a manifold disposed axially1of the bores in said shafts while said bores and j ports are in communication, said rollers being oriented so that the suction orifices of there spective rollers alternately come into operative relation with a strip of material passing there-- between, said movable roll carrying a cutting edge positioned to extend slightly beyond the surface of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting action on the material, and means operative when a predetermined length of said ma- I terial has been fanfolded, for moving said mov-' able roll toward the other, whereby to-render said cutting edgeoperative, and means for ap-" plying a blast of air to said fanfolded elements after said material has been severed to cause them to be compacted, said last mentioned means including a source of compressed air and a valve,

and cam means in timed relation to the remainder of the apparatus for actuating said valve when said material has been severed.

13. In combination in an apparatus of the per-like material, means for operating upon said strip, means for fanfolding said strip comprising a pair of rollers between which the strip passes, means for carrying said strip alternately partially around one roll and then partially around the other, means for severing said strip after a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded,

class described, means for feeding a strip of pameans for carrying said strip alternately partially around one roll and then partially around the other, means for severing said strip after a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded,

means for compacting the severed material, and means for driving all of said means in timed relation.

15. In combination in an apparatus of the class described, means for feeding a strip of paper-like material, means for scoring said strip, means for perforating said strip, means for embossing said strip, means for fanfolding said strip comprising a.- pair of rollers between which the strip passes, and means for causing said material to be carried alternately partially around one roll and then partially around the other, means for severing said strip after a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded, means for compacting the severed portions of said stripand means for driving all of said means in timed relation. v

16. Apparatus for producing long lengths in fanfolded condition of separable foldable elements having datum points thereon from a roll of paperlike material, comprising a pair of cooperating rolls having means for forming score lines transversely of a strip led therebetween, a pair of 00- operating rolls having means for forming lines of perforations transversely of a strip led therebetween, a pair of cooperating rolls through which said strip is led, having means for embossing a datum point on each element between said lines of perforations, a pair of cooperating rolls for transmitting driving force to said strip, and a pair of folding rolls between which said strip passes, said folding rolls' each" having two series of suction orifices diametrically opposed, and said rolls being oriented so that the suction orifices on said pair of rolls are in operative relation with the strip passing therethrough alternately, means for supplying suction to said suction orifices, and timing means for causing said suction orifices on the respective'rolls to apply suction to the strip alternately on one side and then the other, whereby said strip is fanfolded,

andmeans for severing said strip when a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded.

l7. Apparatus for producing long lengths in fanfolded condition of separable foldable elements having datum points thereon from aroll of paperlike material, comprising a pair of cooperating rolls having means for; forming score lines transversely of a strip led therebetween, a pair of cooperating rolls having means for forming lines of perforations transversely of a strip led there-. between, a pair of cooperating rolls through.

which said strip is led, having means for embossing a datum point on each element between said lines of perforations, a pair of cooperating rolls for transmitting driving force to said strip, and apair of folding rolls between which said strip passes, said folding rolls each havingtwo;

series of suction orifices diametrically opposed,

and said rolls being oriented so that the suction orifices on said pair of rolls are in operative rela tion with the strip passing therethrough alternately, means for supplying suction to said suction orifices, and timing means for causing said suction orifices on the respective rolls to apply suction to the strip alternately on one side and then the other, whereby said strip is fanfolded, means 'for severing said strip when a predetermined length thereof has been fanfolded, and means for applying a blast of air to said fanfolded -ele-.

ments after said strip has been severed, to cause them to be compacted. l

18. In a fanfolding apparatus a pair of coma posite shafts, each comprising a nonrotatable portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion having a bearing on said non-rotatable portion and carrying a roller, one of said composite shafts being mounted for movement toward with said bore intermittently as said roller rotates,-

a manifold disposed axially of each of said rollers adjacent the surface thereof and a plurality of orifices in the surface of each roller communicating with said manifold, means for applying suction at timed intervals to the bores in said shafts while said bores and ports are in communication, said rollers being oriented so that thesuction orifices of the respective rollers alternately come into operative relationship with a strip of material passing therebetween, said movableroll carrying a cutting edge positioned to extend slightly beyond the surface of the roll whereby it will not normally perform a cutting action on the material, means operative when a predeter mined length of said material has been fanfolded, for moving said movable roll toward the other, whereby to render said cutting edge operative, meansfor compacting the severed portion of said material, and means for driving all of said means in timed relationship.

CHARLES BUTTERFIELD. 

